To meet the diverse learning needs of all students, materials used in the schools must support the curriculum and instructional goals. Materials in school libraries must also uphold the principals outlined in the School Library Bill of Rights.
All materials used for teaching and learning must be reviewed and evaluated prior to purchase.
Although any library media selection policy should be geared to each school's mission and goals, there are certain basic principles which must be considered in the selection of all media for schools. The responsibility of the school library media center is:
To provide materials that will support the goals and objectives of the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, modes of learning, maturity levels, and socio-economic background of pupils served.
To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards.
To provide a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
To provide materials on opposing sides of issues so that young citizens may develop under guidance, the practice of critical analysis of all media.
To provide materials representative of many religious, political, ethnic, and cultural groups demonstrating their contribution to our American heritage and world civilization.
To provide instructional materials that contain non-stereotyping information relating to a variety of groups representing diversified roles (economic, gender, ethnic, cultural, handicapped, etc.)
Database of Accountable Evaluations
School librarians use the Database of Accountable Evaluations (DAE) to enter evaluations of library books and instructional materials. Each item requires two signatures in the DAE, as detailed below. Once the signatures have been obtained and the material approved, it is eligible for purchase throughout the county.
Signature One – The school librarian provides this signature. Signature Two – can be provided by:
Obtaining the signature of a professional colleague who reviews the material
Bringing the material to a Collection Development meeting and attesting to its discussion and approval by members present
Evidence of positive reviews in professional selection journals such as School Library Journal, Booklist, or Horn Book Guide. The librarian must include the title of the reviewing source along with the specific publication date.
The county Evaluation and Selection unit will verify the signatures and accuracy of the submission, then submit a copy to Media Processing for cataloging.
Staff members other than Library Media Specialists may not input evaluations into DAE; they should fill out the Record of Evaluation for Instructional Materials to begin the evaluation process. Staff members and media specialists must search for approvals in DAE before ordering library books or instructional materials.
Sources: Created by Kate Kennedy, based on Charles, Dorchester, and Montgomery County Public Schools library policies.
Selection Policy
To meet the diverse learning needs of all students, materials used in the schools must support the curriculum and instructional goals. Materials in school libraries must also uphold the principals outlined in the School Library Bill of Rights.
All materials used for teaching and learning must be reviewed and evaluated prior to purchase.
Although any library media selection policy should be geared to each school's mission and goals, there are certain basic principles which must be considered in the selection of all media for schools. The responsibility of the school library media center is:
Database of Accountable Evaluations
School librarians use the Database of Accountable Evaluations (DAE) to enter evaluations of library books and instructional materials. Each item requires two signatures in the DAE, as detailed below. Once the signatures have been obtained and the material approved, it is eligible for purchase throughout the county.Signature One – The school librarian provides this signature.
Signature Two – can be provided by:
The county Evaluation and Selection unit will verify the signatures and accuracy of the submission, then submit a copy to Media Processing for cataloging.
Staff members other than Library Media Specialists may not input evaluations into DAE; they should fill out the Record of Evaluation for Instructional Materials to begin the evaluation process. Staff members and media specialists must search for approvals in DAE before ordering library books or instructional materials.
Sources:
Created by Kate Kennedy, based on Charles, Dorchester, and Montgomery County Public Schools library policies.